Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong
Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/
Chapter 153: The Way Here
Is Star Stealer Sol baiting me?
Nol reacted for half a second before immediately grasping Teest’s line of thought. Star Stealer Sol couldn’t locate Paradise, but Paradise could issue server-wide announcements. The forces of Paradise had rescued the succubus tribe, defeated the Demon King, and slain the Eternal Pope—these were things even Eugene knew, and if the Temple was aware, it meant Star Stealer Sol behind it knew as well.
With his series of actions, his stance and views on good and evil were too obvious. Even if Star Stealer Sol didn’t know he was the “Creator God”, it would still view the powerhouses of Paradise as forces of the “Creator God”.
As for whatever beef Star Stealer Sol had with the dragons, he would have to confirm it at the Dragon’s Lair.
Across the table, upon hearing “my Nol”, Witch Lynn’s mouth twitched. She casually changed the topic. “I’m going with you to the Dragon’s Lair.”
“Miss, this isn’t a vacation trip,” Teest said.
“Oh, I certainly can’t compare to you two monsters,” Lynn chuckled dryly. “Thanks to Mr. Xu, I’m now a ‘Supreme Domination Witch’, roughly on par with a third-transformation player, so I won’t be dragging you two down.”
Nol looked at Lynn in shock.
The Supreme Domination Witch was a rare monster race, a level above the Puppet Witch, which evolved into a Conspiracy Great Witch.
He indeed provided her with leveling methods and upgrade dungeons, but Lynn spent her days in the office. To reach this level… Did she have 48 hours in her day?
“My nightlife lately involves provoking spike giants in the center of the Black Forest.”
Lynn spoke in a tone that could only be described as hollow. “The stress I accumulate at work, I release it after work, and my experience points soared.”
Nol slowly retracted his neck. Miss Lynn had made her point clear and excluding her now would make him feel guilty.
The Supreme Domination Witch was indeed strong, though not on the level of a monster like Painter. Just looking at the stats, she could give Hot Ash a run for his money…
Moreover, to negotiate with old, stubborn, and arrogant dragons, Lynn, with her traditional corporate background, was uniquely suited for the job.
“I’ll take you,” Nol said in a faint voice.
“Good.” Lynn bared her teeth.
She leaned in close to Nol, lowering her voice. “…Don’t worry. Even though I’m not too fond of your boyfriend, I won’t be so clueless as to share a room with you guys.”
After speaking, she meaningfully patted Nol’s askew collar. The ambiguous bite marks were slightly exposed at the edge of his collar.
Nol: “……”
Teest’s smile deepened a bit.
“So, have we set our goal?” Officer Luo tactfully steered the conversation back.
“Teest and I, along with Lynn and Painter. The four of us will investigate the Dragon’s Lair and stop this mission.”
Nol said, “During this time, I leave all matters of the Lost Tower in the hands of you and Uncle Ma.”
“The succubi have completed their training; I can handle Xiao Lin’s paperwork. Pausing trade won’t have a major impact.” Dr. Zhu nodded.
……
Knowing Star Stealer Sol couldn’t see the Lost Tower, Nol grew even more fond of the comfortable atmosphere inside the tower.
After the morning meeting, he played fetch with the dog-headed pups in the hall and then went to watch Griffon Little Piel learn swordsmanship with the succubus warriors.
Little Piel had grown a lot in a short time. Gone was his thin and frail appearance, and there were even traces of muscles in his arms. His griffon fur was glossy and bright. He swung his sword with focus; his face was flushed and sweaty, and even his claws were gripping tightly.
It was unknown, after the jump of more than a decade in time, whether Little Piel would still meet the white knight who inspired him. Judging by the figure, the knight would have been under thirty back then, and now should be around forty.
“When you’re a bit bigger, you can learn [Human Transformation] exclusive to mythological creatures. I know where the scroll for this skill is. When you’re of level, you can even visit Grape Collar again.”
“Wow, thank you!” Little Piel was visibly excited. “I’ll work hard! I also want to eat the roasted cakes from the market.”
“Work hard? You’re even getting the basics of sword swinging wrong.” Teest chuckled beside Nol.
He stepped forward and adjusted Piel’s stance a bit. “…Hmm, that’s somewhat better.”
“Thank you too, Mr. Fairy!” Little Piel puffed out his chest.
Teest shrugged and stepped back beside Nol.
The Mad Monk was surprisingly lenient with the kid he once saved. Just as Nol was about to tease him, he heard Teest mutter telepathically.
[With the physique of a griffin and the ability to disguise as a human, along with the Eye of Truth, given time, this kid could definitely become a formidable figure… Yet, he harbors no thoughts of revenge against the Church and only remembers his baked pies, foolishly so.]
Nol: “……”
Well, such a Mad Monk is quite adorable.
Looking around, the succubi had completely adapted to life here. They looked healthy, and their clothes were light and clean. They walked around every corner of the Lost Tower, as if strolling in their own courtyard.
According to Lynn, they were busy planting bewilderment grass, wanting to brew some bewilderment dew to sell.
The powerful neighbors responsible for hunting were busy transporting monsters they’d hunted back in heaps to the storage room. Today, they caught two lump-horned wild bulls, and while processing the prey, the neighbors argued whether to hot pot or stew the beef.
The kitchen area was even livelier, with several neighbors surrounding a pile of spices, trying to figure out which one resembled star anise and cinnamon. Crow Dad was teaching his ghost daughter math, holding a pen in his beak. Around them, plates were stacked high with fresh fruits, their ripe and sweet fragrance wafting through the air.
Nol felt somewhat dazed.
This place really was too good—too good of an escape.
No wonder Kando was worried about him giving up. As long as he provided the lie of “no return” and assured everyone a way to transform into human form, most neighbors would likely accept such a reality.
With the Demon King’s corruption gone, the Eternal Church in hiding, and the players already the absolute powerhouses of this world, perhaps if he didn’t show up for a long time, Star Stealer Sol might give up searching for him… He didn’t need to take risks, and everyone could live peacefully from now on…
…Except for the inability to return home.
Give up. A thin voice whispers in his ear. It’ll be easier if you give up.
Do you really want to confront Star Stealer Sol? Do you really want to put everyone in jeopardy for a return to a reality that’s not even good? If you lose, everything before you will be destroyed.
Can you really defeat Star Stealer Sol?
Are you sure?
Are you sure?
Are you sure?
The voice became clearer, almost tangible, rolling and stabbing inside Nol’s brain. Amidst the intense pain, Nol clutched his head. He felt a cold, wet sensation under his nose. It was blood.
Before he can react, his back hits a warm chest.
“What’s wrong?” Teest pulled out a handkerchief, wiping the blood from Nol’s face as he turned to the side.
“I…”
The pain in his head lingered slightly, and Nol tried to shake it off. He wanted to tell Teest about the anomaly in detail, but the thought silently slipped away, hiding in the darkness.
“I’m fine.” Nol forced a smile. “Maybe I’ve overdrawn too much before. My head’s a bit messy.”
Teest was silent for a few seconds, then hummed deeply.
“I haven’t decided what ending I want yet,” he suddenly said, “but whatever I choose, my ending definitely won’t include the existence of Star Stealer Sol—”
He moved in front of Nol and cupped Nol’s head with both hands as if to cover his ears.
The cheerful scene was completely obscured by Teest. At this moment, the Mad Monk stood backlit with only his eyes exceptionally bright, like molten gold.
“Listen, honey. Star Stealer Sol will never let you go.”
He spoke these terrifying words in an almost sweet tone. “It will not rest until it gets what it wants.”
“If you wish to endure, to slack off, the end will surely be death. This is what its followers have taught me with corpses and pain.”
They’ve taught him too well, Teest thought. Just like he himself will absolutely, absolutely not let go.
“Don’t worry. I know. I won’t let it go.”
The buzzing noise in his head disappeared, and this time Nol’s smile wasn’t forced.
Having already decided to fight, he was puzzled by his earlier wavering—”to flee, give up, or even show goodwill in the face of the aggressor”. His disdain for such behavior was ingrained in his blood.
Yet, this doubt, like a corpse occasionally surfacing, quickly sank back into the depths.
“Praise be to you.”
In the shadows, Teest, through his actions, turned his back on the bustling neighbors and gently kissed Nol’s forehead.
“Teest.”
“Hm?”
“Thank you.”
“I am your knight, after all.”
“If there’s something you want to say, it needs to be said clearly.” Nol sighed. “I want you to know, not guess.”
“Then why don’t you say, ‘I love you’?” Teest countered.
The moment the words were spoken, Teest seemed startled. He looked even more shocked than Nol, and somewhat at a loss.
Before Nol could respond, Teest let out an exaggerated laugh. “Just kidding, just kidding. You don’t have to answer. I know the answer—the moment we started cooperating, I had already stated my conditions. I haven’t forgotten.”
“I smell roasted beef. It smells a bit special. I need to go taste it.” After saying this, Teest turned and walked towards the kitchen as if nothing happened.
The Mad Monk wouldn’t give up their life, loyalty, or love.
Because the former was too precious, and the latter two didn’t exist.
Then the Mad Monk gave his life, step by step, as he walked towards him. Does loyalty and love really don’t exist? Nol touched his forehead, which Teest had just placed a kiss on.
He guessed it was more than just “faith”.
He quietly watched that figure with an exceptionally soft gaze. He would patiently wait for a more suitable, more beautiful occasion to send out his ribbon-tied words.
“Just wait a bit longer, honey,” he silently said to Teest’s back.
Until the day you understand how to unwrap it.
……
Faced with Lynn’s two modern-style trolley suitcases, Nol fell silent. The magical world was indeed convenient; even zippers had been invented by the neighbors. Except these zippers didn’t seem to be made of plastic but rather resembled the tough hide of some dangerous creature.
“Don’t look so grim. I can cast an illusion on it,” Lynn said, this time using the common language of Tahe. “It’s just really handy. I guess your boyfriend won’t share his spatial bag with me.”
“Indeed,” Teest agreed profoundly. “A Supreme Domination Witch can carry more than a ton. I’m indeed the more fragile one.”
Listening to what his Doom Knight was saying, Nol choked but didn’t expose it.
“Let me help you with that.” Painter smiled like the spring breeze. “I only see a lady in need of assistance.”
“Thank you, but there’s no need.” Lynn clapped her hands.
Two life-sized puppets wobbled into the room. With their bodies shimmering, they quickly transformed into two emotionless male servants, handsome and identical in appearance.
[Puppet Servants], a skill of the Supreme Domination Witch. Their individual combat power was roughly equal to that of the Puppet Witch herself.
Lynn had really become stronger, Nol thought emotionally.
If a Supreme Domination Witch had been at the edge of Whitebird City back then, Lynn could probably have stormed the City Lord’s residence alone and beat up that Supplement Demon. Even faced with Eugene head-on, a Supreme Domination Witch could escape using her talents.
“Let me introduce them. This is Tom and Jerry,” Lynn said solemnly.
Nol was speechless again.
In some way, his neighbors were quite disruptive to the ecosystem. For instance, at this moment, the sinister and dangerous impression of a Supreme Domination Witch was instantly shattered.
“My sister loved them when she was little.” Lynn’s smile was a bit bitter. “Maybe she’ll notice.”
Painter maintained his radiant good priest demeanor. “With such dedication, you will surely find your sister.”
If it weren’t for the bulging bags of mission rewards on his back, this scene would look even more sacred. Unfortunately, the former Pope now resembled a snail walking upright.
“Let’s decide on the destination first.”
Teest wrinkled his nose in disgust at Painter. “The Claw Scar Mountains are definitely watched over by your good godson. It won’t be easy to perform sacrifices there, and we can’t go that way this time.”
After returning to Paradise, their “Dragon’s Lair Secret Path” reward had yet to be settled. Nol suspected they needed to return to the Oracle Cave, but for some reason, Kando’s teleportation didn’t seem to work there.
That place was full of Star Stealer Sol’s power interference, so Nol wasn’t too surprised.
They would have to think of another method, like taking Mr. Painter on a long journey, or—
Painter’s perfect smile stiffened, and he let out a cough. “Let’s go through Dream Isle.”
Teest had a face that said, “I knew it.”
Nol knew of Dream Isle. It was located to the south of the Tahe continent, near Bissus. The island enjoyed eternal spring, creating a scenery that was dreamily beautiful, and thus was designated by the official “Tahe” as a dating and photography spot.
There, they had meticulously designed a beautiful teleportation array, surrounded by clusters of pristine white plant sculptures.
“The Eternal Church wants to teleport from the Claw Scar Mountains, so they had to set up the array themselves. The Temple of Life uses a ready-made one, so there’s no need for blood sacrifices—just symbolically offering some fruits, crops, and flowers, which is actually of little use.”
Painter candidly revealed the secrets of the Temple of Life.
“Didn’t the two of you say that the clue to the Dragon’s Lair secret passage is in that cave? Why not use the Temple of Life’s array for another trip. It would also prove that the two places are indeed connected.”
“Just to be safe, I still have to ask,” Teest said earnestly. “If you trigger the Temple’s precious teleportation array, won’t the Temple know?”
“Of course they’ll know! And they’ll know it was me.” The former Pope spoke proudly, though it was unclear what he was so proud of. “Anyway, that teleportation array can only be activated by the Pope. Hehe, the current Pope is over seventy—would the Temple really let their precious old man lead a manhunt against me?”
“At that time, we’ll head through the Eternal Church’s route to the Claw Scar Mountains directly! …A ceremony isn’t needed to exit. We’ll just run before those Investigation Knights can react.”
Truly a route asking for trouble.
However, Nol had to admit that this was indeed better than challenging the Dragon’s Lair from the outside. Not to mention the dragons’ own defenses, the terrain there was particularly treacherous—something he, as the designer, knew all too well.
“That’s settled then,” he said.
Nol had a profound impression of Dream Isle and initiated the teleportation fire ring on the spot. The Temple didn’t expect lunatics to parachute into the Holy Land, so its internal defenses weren’t very strict. The guardians were hit by Painter’s spells and fell into a deep sleep on the spot.
Against his own people, Painter’s actions were frighteningly quick and accurate.
Nol couldn’t help but wonder if this person was afraid that he and Teest would act first, creating a less peaceful scene. In any case, everything went smoothly—the Temple of Life directly used the original teleportation array from “Tahe”, without any restrictions on the number of people.
After walking in the dark, the group arrived at the Temple of Life’s oracle room.
The oracle room of the Temple of Life could be described as “brimming with life”. It was a square room made of white stone, without a roof. The sky was clear, and the bright sunlight poured down, splashing on the lush green leaves on the ground.
The floor and walls were covered with lush plants, fresh flowers, and sweet fruits coexisting. They were so brightly illuminated by the sunlight that they uplifted one’s mood.
In the center of the room stood a beautiful statue of the Goddess of Life. Her lovely and amiable face faced the visitors with only purity and kindness in her gaze.
Across the wall sat the Temple of Life’s emergency oracle herald. His robe was clean and tidy, with washed sweet fruits, smoked meat, and bread by his side.
The confusion had hardly a second to linger in his eyes before Painter knocked him out too.
“Please.” Painter bowed to Nol without even glancing at the statue.
Nol raised his palm, once again beginning to analyze this space. As expected, after the illusion dissipated, they found themselves back in the familiar cave.
The familiar headless corpse was still hanging there; knowing the truth now, Nol felt somewhat sorry for it. He waved at it as a form of greeting.
Teest looked around and uttered a “huh”.
Nol knew what he was curious about—last time they had placed the body of the Eternal Pope here, so they should have seen it.
Moreover, even though it was the same space, they couldn’t see the emergency herald of the Eternal Church. Just like last time, they also didn’t find the emergency herald of the Temple of Life.
There was another magic at play here—a magic used for concealment.
Last time, due to the suddenness of events, he only focused on sensing malevolent magic. This must be something more harmless, more secretive…
“Give me some time.” Nol took a deep breath.
Now that he was full of energy, he could lay out [Creator] more meticulously.
Finally, he found another magic—a force almost devoid of presence, probably Star Stealer Sol’s own magic.
Another illusion. Not very effective, not very strong, almost destined to be overlooked.
Beneath the grand illusion was a smaller one. Star Stealer Sol’s understanding of human psychological blind spots was unsettling.
Nol didn’t want to alert the enemy, even facing such small tricks, so he only blocked the illusion’s effect on his own people.
The next moment, a chill rose up his back. Lynn let out a gag, but then forcefully held it back.
After he blocked the illusion, the herald of the Temple of Life and the herald of the Eternal Church were sitting face-to-face, with only the headless body between them. For years, they sat opposite each other, never aware of each other’s presence.
The herald of the Eternal Church was obliviously gnawing on the body of the Eternal Pope. He chewed on bones and organs expressionlessly, as if they were just ordinary dried salty meat.
The surroundings of the cave were no longer just dull stone walls. Numerous damages and openings became visible. At the largest opening, the wind from the outside world faintly blew in, mixed with the moist, decaying smell.
Nol remembered that smell.
…It was the scent of the Dragon Tomb Garden.
The author has something to say:
System: Isn’t it a super familiar secret path (wink
Paradise is really suitable for homebodies… alas, Miss Lynn isn’t one.
Kinky Thoughts:
We’ve come full circle back to chapter 1.
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